Funsjacobs (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Added {{nofootnotes}} tag to article using TW |
||
(13 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{nofootnotes|date=May 2011}} |
|||
<!--- Categories ---> |
|||
{{refimproveBLP|date=May 2011}} |
|||
{{wikify|date=May 2011}} |
|||
Clarence McDonald is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He is a composer/publisher of the #1 and Grammy nominated song "Everything To Me" performed by Monica. Most recently McDonald performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan (Avatar Records). |
'''Clarence "Mac" McDonald''' is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He is a composer/publisher of the #1 and Grammy nominated song "Everything To Me" performed by [[Monica (entertainer)|Monica]]. Most recently McDonald performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan (Avatar Records). He has worked with a long list of entertainment including [[Ray Charles]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[James Taylor]], [[Bill Withers]], and [[The Jackson 5]]. |
||
== Introduction == |
|||
Clarence “Mac” McDonald is an American musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer. A prominent keyboardist, McDonald has contributed to thousands of songs as a session musician. He has worked with a long list of entertainment icons including [[Ray Charles]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[James Taylor]], [[Bill Withers]], [[The Jackson 5]], [[Seals & Crofts]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Carole King]], [[David T. Walker]], [[The Carpenters]], [[Bill Withers]], [[The Emotions]], [[Freddy Hubbard]], [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[The Memphis Horns]], [[Billy Preston]], [[Stanley Turrentine]], [[Deniece Williams]], and [[Nancy Wilson]], among others. McDonald is known for his musical diversity, enduring melodies and signature groove. |
|||
== Biography== |
== Biography== |
||
⚫ | Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Clarence McDonald started playing music at a very young age. McDonald’s first instrument was the soprano saxophone followed by the trombone, euphonium, sousaphone and piano. He chose the piano as his primary instrument because he found it to be the most challenging. [[File:McDonaldSchool.jpg|thumb|Clarence McDonald at his music lesson]] |
||
⚫ | By the age of 16 McDonald was playing at the local nightclub, Memory Lane, accompanying American jazz & gospel singer [[Lorez Alexandria]]. On the weekends, he was working with the [[Chico Hamilton |Chico Hamilton Quartet]] through an invitation from the Musical Director and saxophonist [[Charles Lloyd]]. [[File:Clarence_McDonald_kid.jpg|thumb|Young Clarence McDonald]] |
||
⚫ | Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Clarence McDonald started playing music at a very young age. |
||
⚫ | In the early 1960’s McDonald began working with the Los Angeles based vocal group, The Hi-Fi’s. He replaced Rex Middleton as the Musical Director. They changed their name to The Vocals and began working with American soul singer Lonnie Sattin. While touring, they were contacted to be the opening act for [[Ray Charles]] and traveled with Charles in 1964-65. The group later changed their name to [[The Fifth Dimension]] replacing some of the personnel. |
||
After a stint in the service, McDonald received an Honorable Discharge and was awarded a [[National Defense Service Medal]], [[Vietnam Service Medal]], and [[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]. |
|||
⚫ | By the age of 16 |
||
⚫ | In the early 1960’s McDonald began working with the Los Angeles based vocal group, The Hi-Fi’s. He replaced Rex Middleton as the Musical Director. |
||
McDonald returned to the music business as a session player recording for Motown in Los Angeles and contributing to the early work of Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Jackson Five. |
|||
⚫ | In 1975, while working with [[Carole King]], McDonald met [[James Taylor]]. That meeting followed with an invitation from [[Warner Brothers]] Producers [[Lenny Waronker]] and Russ Titleman who asked McDonald to record on Taylor’s album, “Gorilla.” McDonald ended up recording on three albums: “Gorilla” (1975), “In The Pocket” (1976) and “JT” (1977). McDonald toured with Taylor from 1975 to 1978. |
||
⚫ | As a Producer McDonald’s produced [[The Emotions]] Platinum Album Rejoice with [[Maurice White]]. On the album was the #1 Hot 100 and R&B song, “The Best of My Love.” The song won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. |
||
⚫ | In 1975, while working with [[Carole King]], McDonald met [[James Taylor]]. That meeting followed with an invitation from [[Warner Brothers]] Producers [[Lenny Waronker]] and Russ Titleman who asked McDonald to record on Taylor’s album, |
||
Starting in the mid-1970’s, McDonald began music collaborations with several song writers. Songwriting highlights include: “Silly” recorded by [[Deniece Williams]], [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Taral Hicks]], and [[L.J. Reynolds]]. “If You Don’t Believe” recorded by [[Stanley Turrentine]] and [[Deniece Williams]]. “Love Never Dies” recorded by [[Patti LaBelle]]. “That’s What Friends Are For” recorded by [[Johnny Mathis]] and [[Deniece Williams]], “Just For Your Love” recorded by [[The Memphis Horns]], [[Earl Klugh]] and [[Don Coleman]]. “You’re A Special Part Of My Life” recorded by [[The Whispers]], [[The Emotions]] and [[Johnny Mathis]] & [[Deniece Williams]]. “Me For You” recorded by [[The Emotions]] and [[Johnny Mathis]]. “All About The Paper” recorded by [[The Dells]] and Loleatta Halloway. “I’m Ready” recorded by [[Natalie Cole]]. “I Can’t Take No More” recorded by [[Jermaine Jackson]]. “Then She Smiled At Me” recorded by [[Bill Withers]]. “I’m Your’s” recorded by [[Freddie Hubbard]]. “What The Funk” recorded by [[The Memphis Horns]]. |
|||
⚫ | As a Producer McDonald’s |
||
⚫ | In 2004, McDonald recorded keyboards with [[Ray Charles]] on the song “Heaven Help Us All” for the Grammy Winning Best Gospel Song duet with [[Gladys Knight]]. McDonald arranged the song with [[David Blumberg]] and [[Randy Waldman]]. The song appears on Ray Charles’ last album, |
||
⚫ | In 2004, McDonald recorded keyboards with [[Ray Charles]] on the song “Heaven Help Us All” for the Grammy Winning Best Gospel Song duet with [[Gladys Knight]]. McDonald arranged the song with [[David Blumberg]] and [[Randy Waldman]]. The song appears on Ray Charles’ last album, Genius Loved Company. |
||
[[File:Clarence_at_Fender_Rhodes-2_sm.jpg|thumb|Clarence McDonald playing for "Jazz for Japan"]] |
[[File:Clarence_at_Fender_Rhodes-2_sm.jpg|thumb|Clarence McDonald playing for "Jazz for Japan"]] |
||
⚫ | |||
In 2008, McDonald filmed and recorded a multi media performance at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, California. McDonald documents stories of LA’s rich recording history with music classics he is associated with: “[[Sara Smile]],” (recorded at Larrabee Studios), “Summer Breeze” (recorded at [[The Sound Factory]]) “Best Of My Love” (recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders) and “How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you) ” (recorded at Warner Brothers Recording Studios). |
|||
⚫ | In 2011, in response to Japan’s natural disaster, McDonald recorded 3 songs for the Jazz for Japan music project. All proceeds from the recording project go directly to Japanese relief funds. McDonald was joined by a long list of Jazz luminaries including [[George Duke]], [[Nathan East]], Herman Jackson, [[Boney James]], Ndugu Chancler, [[Billy Childs]], [[Christian McBride]], [[Marcus Miller]], [[David T. Walker]] and many others. |
||
In 2007, [[Erykah Badu]] released the single “Honey” a song created with “I’m In Love” originally recorded by Nancy Wilson (MUSIC ON MY MIND), Produced by McDonald and Co-written by McDonald, Fritz Baskett and David Shields. In 2008 the song appeared on Badu’s New Amerykha Vol 1. CD. “Honey” also appears on Badu’s ICON 2010 compilation. |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | In 2011, in response to Japan’s natural disaster, McDonald recorded 3 songs for the |
||
== Selected discography== |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
* Portal Performance: The Toluca Times, Wednesday August 6, 2008 page 18 “Night Lights” by Pat Taylor |
* Portal Performance: The Toluca Times, Wednesday August 6, 2008 page 18 “Night Lights” by Pat Taylor |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
* Keyboard Magazine: September 2004 “The Legacy of the Genius” Page 26 – 34 by Robert L. Doerschuk |
* Keyboard Magazine: September 2004 “The Legacy of the Genius” Page 26 – 34 by Robert L. Doerschuk |
||
* Billboard.com |
|||
== External links == |
== External links == |
||
Line 63: | Line 33: | ||
* [http://twitter.com/#!/cmcdonald999/The Official Clarence McDonald Twitter page] |
* [http://twitter.com/#!/cmcdonald999/The Official Clarence McDonald Twitter page] |
||
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/cmcdonald999/The Official Clarence McDonald Youtube page] |
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/cmcdonald999/The Official Clarence McDonald Youtube page] |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
{{uncategorized|date=May 2011}} |
Revision as of 01:47, 17 May 2011
Clarence "Mac" McDonald is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He is a composer/publisher of the #1 and Grammy nominated song "Everything To Me" performed by Monica. Most recently McDonald performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan (Avatar Records). He has worked with a long list of entertainment including Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Bill Withers, and The Jackson 5.
Biography
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Clarence McDonald started playing music at a very young age. McDonald’s first instrument was the soprano saxophone followed by the trombone, euphonium, sousaphone and piano. He chose the piano as his primary instrument because he found it to be the most challenging.
By the age of 16 McDonald was playing at the local nightclub, Memory Lane, accompanying American jazz & gospel singer Lorez Alexandria. On the weekends, he was working with the Chico Hamilton Quartet through an invitation from the Musical Director and saxophonist Charles Lloyd.
In the early 1960’s McDonald began working with the Los Angeles based vocal group, The Hi-Fi’s. He replaced Rex Middleton as the Musical Director. They changed their name to The Vocals and began working with American soul singer Lonnie Sattin. While touring, they were contacted to be the opening act for Ray Charles and traveled with Charles in 1964-65. The group later changed their name to The Fifth Dimension replacing some of the personnel.
After a stint in the service, McDonald received an Honorable Discharge and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
McDonald returned to the music business as a session player recording for Motown in Los Angeles and contributing to the early work of Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Jackson Five.
In 1975, while working with Carole King, McDonald met James Taylor. That meeting followed with an invitation from Warner Brothers Producers Lenny Waronker and Russ Titleman who asked McDonald to record on Taylor’s album, “Gorilla.” McDonald ended up recording on three albums: “Gorilla” (1975), “In The Pocket” (1976) and “JT” (1977). McDonald toured with Taylor from 1975 to 1978.
As a Producer McDonald’s produced The Emotions Platinum Album Rejoice with Maurice White. On the album was the #1 Hot 100 and R&B song, “The Best of My Love.” The song won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.
In 2004, McDonald recorded keyboards with Ray Charles on the song “Heaven Help Us All” for the Grammy Winning Best Gospel Song duet with Gladys Knight. McDonald arranged the song with David Blumberg and Randy Waldman. The song appears on Ray Charles’ last album, Genius Loved Company.
In 2010, McDonald was co-writer and co-publisher of the #1 Billboard single “Everything To Me” recorded by Monica (Still Standing). The song remained at #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop Charts for seven consecutive weeks.
In 2011, in response to Japan’s natural disaster, McDonald recorded 3 songs for the Jazz for Japan music project. All proceeds from the recording project go directly to Japanese relief funds. McDonald was joined by a long list of Jazz luminaries including George Duke, Nathan East, Herman Jackson, Boney James, Ndugu Chancler, Billy Childs, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, David T. Walker and many others.
References
- Portal Performance: The Toluca Times, Wednesday August 6, 2008 page 18 “Night Lights” by Pat Taylor
- Keyboard Magazine: September 2004 “The Legacy of the Genius” Page 26 – 34 by Robert L. Doerschuk
External links
- Official Clarence McDonald Website
- Official Clarence McDonald Twitter page
- Official Clarence McDonald Youtube page
- http://www.billboard.com/album/the-emotions/best-of-my-love-the-best-of-the-emotions/183311#/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?chartDate=1977-07-23
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/clarence-mcdonald-p100400/credits